A Conversation with Made by Rae Blog Founder, Rae Hoekstra
Sewing Blogger & Made by Rae Founder, Rae Hoekstra
This week I had the pleasure of meeting Rae Hookstra, sewing blogger and the founder of the wildly successful sewing website, Made by Rae. Rae and I swapped stories about how leaving our former careers –hers as a Physics teacher; mine in the entertainment industry — to focus on being moms inadvertently lead us to start craft-based websites that would ultimately redefine our professional paths. We also discussed how the definition of feminism as we were taught it in the 80’s has evolved a bit, and about how her community of sewing followers has greatly influenced the type of business she’s chosen to nurture.
I found Rae to be a creative being who’s also a smart businesswoman, a parent who seems to have her priorities straight, and an interesting person who’s open to hearing and sharing ideas. One of the main reasons I started the CRAFT-ish podcast was so I can pick the brains of other creative entrepreneurs while also sharing the knowledge that came out of our conversations. An the interviewer, this episode was definitely one that I walked away from enriched so I’m excited for listeners to reap the same, human-experience rewards.
Listeners can find CRAFT-ish on iTunes, Soundcloud, or Stitcher. Then go to the Show Notes page to see photos of a few of Rae’s most popular pattern designs, and get links to her shop, sew alongs and more!
Thanks to our sponsor, Makers’ Mercantile who would like to celebrate sewist, Made by Rae by giving a 20% off discount on all Stenzo Fabric on their website. Stenzo Textiles produces high quality, digitally printed fabric from the Netherlands. Choose between Cotton Jersey and Cotton poplin. This fabric will look fantastic with any of Made by Rae’s patterns. Use code: VICKIEMAKES at check out — offer good through September 8th.
Enjoy!
–Vickie
I loved this interview. Rae is someone I wish I knew IRL becuase I feel like we would have a lot to talk about. Anyway I just had to leave a comment here to say that I appreciate the way you, Vickie, go straight to the real issues and topics people like me want to hear about: how parenting fits into a creative life, how feminism is imbued into our lives as mothers and how we make it fit into our own self-perception. As a mother of two and professional in the performing arts, I find all of this fascinating. Thank you for this and for your podcast!!